Passenger

“Come on Annie.”

I waited at the curb on our Grandmother’s house, my replacement bike under me, and my hands gripping the handles.

It was Sunday. Time was flying, passing too quickly for anyone to real enjoy anything about life.

And Annie’s condition, didn’t get any better.

She kissed our Grandmother’s cheek, and drove the chair down the ramp, as I started pedaling my bike down the street, where I made a sharp turn, heading towards the water, until I hit the path, and we began the ride towards the Aquatic Center.

Thanksgiving was just around the corner, which meant Annie was about to start her school classes at the school she went to- Where other kids like her, with similar conditions worked at the same pace, learning exactly other kids were learning, but in an environment, where they weren’t bothered, questioned or teased.

The weather was changing, the rainy season was fast approaching, which meant that the bike and chair rides to and from places would soon cease, when the first snow fell.

❊

My eyes were focused on Annie, as I sat on the bench out side of the Center, as she talked to a few kids her age. Donna was a few feet in front of me standing, occasionally blocking my view of my sister, and causing me to lean to the side so I could keep an eye on her. The beach was a few feet away, and I pushed myself up from the bench, and then sat back down, as I spotted her laughing and safe.

Michael, caught my attention as he crossed the front area, talking to Donna’s husband, and his former coach Bob Bowman. They both didn’t look so serious as they did when I had found pictures of them in London- just to friends, having fun.

Michael met my stare, and waved at me, as I did the same with a grin, before another man tapped his shoulder, and the jean and hoodie clad man walked off.

I leaned forward on my bench, trying to see around Donna, as I watched Annie being approached by a few older kids on bikes. I pushed passed Donna, watching as Annie stood up from her chair, and heard one of the kids calling her ‘Spazz’, before the only girl their called her ‘Special Needs.’

“Hey!”

My view was cut off once more, as the girl sat in Annie’s chair and rolled it into the water, just as I made a loud yelp. Annie stood unsure, as the kids teased her, until a tall older figure walked towards them, just as I reached them.

“I don’t think my chair’s amphibious.” Annie said softly, as Michael told the older kids to scatter.

I stayed quiet as Michael kneeled in front of Annie, as I wadded into the water, getting my jeans wet knee high as I tugged the chair out of the water.

“Why’d you get out of it Annie?” I asked, coming out slightly harsher then I intended, and watching as my sister’s eyes widened slightly under my stare.

“She didn’t think I could stand.” Annie said back, with a deep frown as Michael stood up.

“Well you can.” I said kneeling before her, “You never, ever need to prove anything to anyone, understand that. Ever.”

Annie nodded at me and I hugged her close, as Michael stared behind us, and Annie sniffed slightly and squeezed me around the waist.

I stood up, the top of my head, just reaching Michael’s eyes as I stared at him, “Thanks for that.”

He nodded before turning to Annie, who pulled away from my stomach, tears staining her thin cheeks.

“Want me to give you guys a ride home, grab hot chocolate?” Michael asked Annie, causing the girl to blush madly, as she glanced up at me, “As long as your sister joins us.”

Annie tugged at my hand, while I stared at Michael. My eyes studying his face, as he did the same to me.

“Yeah, all right.” I smiled, as he nudged my arm with his, and I did the same with a soft chuckle.

As we walked towards Michael’s car, I couldn’t help but smile at the effort her put with Annie. The two of them were talking, Annie on his back, as he carried her. She was laughing as he told her of his two dogs.

He was putting in a bigger effort, then her Mother or Father ever did.

❊

I ignored Gran’s stare as Michael and I walked towards the house, the wheel chair parked on the porch, fully mobile, but Annie was attached to Michael, and I couldn’t help but smile as he carried her inside, as her eyes slowly dripped closed from exhaustion.

“Michael, this is my Grandmother. Renee.” I said introducing them quickly, “Gran, this is Michael.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Gran smiled letting us inside.

Michael grinned nodding, “Like wise.” he turned to me with an unsure look, “Where should I put Annie?”

I motioned for him to follow me, and we went down the entry way, down the hall, past the kitchen and living room, until we reached Annie’s room and I pushed the door open, and he smiled at me before placing my sister on the bed, who sat up wide awake now, with a frown on her face.

“Where are you two going?”

I blushed and Michael took a seat on her bed, “I’m going to ask your sister to go and do boring adult stuff, do you think she’ll say yes?”

My face was on fire as I made a face at him, and Annie gave me a knowing look, before she forced herself up and whispered in Michael’s ear, before she stood up and pushed him gently off the bed, and then the two us out of the room.

“What did she say?” I asked him, as Annie gave us a quick goodbye, before she shut her door and she giggled.

Michael, blushed slightly as he leaned against the door frame, and I gave him a teasing raised brow look with a laugh.

“That we should go get dinner.” He said with a laugh, his cheeks turning a darker shade of pink by the second, and as he did when he got awkward he adverted his gaze.

I glanced up at him, “Do you want to go?”

“Do you?” he countered back with a laugh, as I blushed and sucked in my cheeks.

“I’ll go change, really quick.” I said, glancing at him through my lashes, “If you want to go.”

He nodded, “Of course.”

I nodded, holding in a squeal that was about to rip through my mouth, “You can sit in the living room for a bit I won’t be long.”

❊

“How old are you?”

I glanced up from my lemonade, smiling at Michael, “So were playing that game are we.”

He grinned at me and shrugged as he sipped at his ice tea, stabbing at the lemon slice in his cup, and glanced up giving me a crooked smile, “Are we?”

I chuckled.

We had left the house as soon as I had finished changing, before my Grandmother could do any serious damage. He had brought me to his favorite diner, that was a few blocks from his apartment. The had the best sea food, according to him, and served breakfast all day. I was happy with that.

“I’m twenty six.” I said pushing my self away from the table, startled by how close we were leaning towards each other, just as the waitress came, and dropped off our food.

A quesadilla, and eggs benedict for Michael, while I just got the eggs benedict.

“How old are you?” I questioned, stabbing into my plate of food my mouth watering.

“Twenty seven.” he said covering his mouth as he took a bite of food, “You know you can google all this.”

I laughed, as he smirked and titled his head to the side, in a silent smirk, “So he is cocky.”

He laughed, and tapped his chin with his fork, “Have you lived in Baltimore your whole life?”

I shook my head, as I swallowed a bite of food, followed by a sip of my drink, “Mmm. I used to live in New York, but we were moved here for Annie’s medical treatments.”

Michael nodded, and didn’t push the conversation of Annie any further. And that’s what I liked about him.

“Why are you retiring at twenty seven?” I questioned with a chuckle, as he let out a soft yelp as sour cream dribbled down his chin.

“I just want to relax.” he said quickly wiping his chin with his napkin, “Not to answer to anybody. Not have somebody tell me where to go, when to go there, what to do, just kind of be on my own time. That makes sense right?”

I stared at him, “It makes a lot of sense.”
I couldn’t help but feel envious of him. He worked so hard for twelve years, and he was set for the rest of his life.

“Is it right to say, that I’m jealous.” I said softly, pushing my lips to the side with a frown, as he glanced up at me, “Of your accomplishments, but, also from the fact that you knew what you wanted to do, and now that your done, your done.”

“I wouldn’t say jealous.” he said deeply, and with an honest voice, “I’m jealous of a few things that you do.”

I laughed. I laughed honest and loud, before I blushed, and glanced around the restaurant that was growing empty by the minute. I turned my face back to Michael, blushing deeply, as he gave me an amused stare, his lips closed as he gave me his signature smile, that I was beginning to grow smitten towards.

I cleared my throat, and gnawed at my straw and gaze at him, “ What, do I have, that makes you jealous.”

“You’re always on top of things. Your sister, your Grandmother, they are your number one priority.” he said with a smile, “Every time I’ve seen you, your with Annie, you never let her down. I’m close to my family, but not that close. Sometimes it felt like too much, but maybe I’m taking it for granted.”

“You don’t seem like the type of person who would take things for granted.” I said honestly, leaning towards him, “Trust me. I know those people- you’re not one of them.”

By the time we got out of the restaurant it was quarter to midnight, we had made plans for two days after tonight, to go to the Aquarium with Annie, and then grab a meal before I had to head to work.

The streets were empty- the occasional couple, or group of friends would walk by us, some stopping to as Michael for a picture but that was it.
“I’m not envious of that.” I joked, nudging him with my elbow as a bunch of girls our age, gave squeaky thank you’s after the picture.

“No?” Michael, questioned in sarcastic doubt, as he nudged me back.

We walked side by side in silence towards his car. It was comfortable silence. Nothing awkward, just us appreciating the cold.

“I had fun.” I stated out of no where, with a smile, as we waited for the light between us and the car to change.

He glanced at me, the top of my head just at his eyes as he smiled.

“I did too.” he said honestly.

His voice was raspy, with a slight lips, gave me butterflies.
But what made the butterflies, ten times rowdier- was when the light changed, and I left my hand out of my coat pocket.
I remained quiet, and fidgeting inside, as I felt his larger hand cover my own. As both our fingers spread and the quickly, softly, and subtly intertwined.

“Is this okay?” he asked me as we walked down the street towards the car as he lifted our hands.

I nodded and leaned against him, as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, our hands still together.

I stared at him with a smile, “This is very okay.”